National Food Security & Nutrition Mission (formerly NFSM)

Pulses: in October 2025 the Cabinet approved a separate Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses (2025-26 to 2030-31), and the 2026-27 NFSNM targets name only cereals — ask your district agriculture office which mission now covers pulse seed. Each row reads “50% of cost or Rs. … /Qtls. (whichever is less)”. Varieties older than 10 years get half the per-quintal limit. Bio-fortified rice and wheat get ₹500 a quintal more (Annexure-II note). After receiving seed you cannot get this help again for two years, nor a minikit (2.B(viii)).

“Financial assistance is available, as specified in Annexure-II, for the distribution of certified seeds to farmers.”

The per-hectare amount is spent by the department on the demonstration (it includes ₹800 a hectare for the field day, publicity and monitoring); it is not paid to you. Any extra cost is borne by the farmer, and the same farmer is not repeated in a cluster for two years (1.A(iv)(f), (xv)(f)).

“Cluster demonstration serves as an adaptive research approach to display improved package of practices, cutting-edge technologies, or newly released and notified crop varieties or hybrids (less than 10 years old).”

Only one minikit of the same crop or variety in two years (2.C(vi)). Aspirational Districts get priority (2.C(xvi)(g)).

“In order to ensure rapid dissemination of seeds of newly released and notified high-yielding, climate-resilient, bio-fortified, resistant to insect, pest and diseases, short and medium duration varieties or hybrids (that are less than 10 years old) in Pulses and Nutri-Cereals assistance for distribution of certified seed in form of minikits free of cost to farmers is available under the mission.”

Run by KVKs under ICAR; a Soil Health Card is mandatory and chemical fertilisers are not part of the kit (only FCO-approved nano-fertilisers). The same farmer is not repeated for two years (1.B(ix)(b)).

“Cluster Front Line Demonstrations (CFLDs) (by KVKs on Farmer’s Field): The CFLD serves as an adaptive research methodology aimed at showcasing improved package of practices, advanced technologies, and newly released or notified crop varieties or hybrids (less than 10 years old).”

Preference goes to North-Eastern states (1.C(xi)). A Soil Health Card is mandatory (1.C(xiii)).

“Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) (by ICAR-Institutes on Farmer’s Field): The Front-Line Demonstration (FLD) is a technology adoption initiative designed to showcase the improved package of practises, latest released varieties, hybrids, and other technologies developed by ICAR-Institutes on selected farmers' fields.”

Only at the dose SAU/CAU/ICAR recommends for the crop. States may choose not to run this (and may spend at most 5% of their NFSNM funds on it); after getting it you cannot get it again for two years (2.D(iv), (vi)).

“Nutrient Management/Soil Ameliorants 50% of cost or Rs. 2500/Ha (whichever is less)”

Only at the dose SAU/CAU/ICAR recommends. States may choose not to run this (at most 5% of their NFSNM funds); after getting it you cannot get it again for two years (2.E(ii), (iv)).

“Plant Protection Measures 50% of cost or Rs. 2500/Ha (whichever is less)”

Paid only when you grow seed as a registered seed grower for an eligible agency (State Seed Corporation, NSC, NAFED, IFFDC, KRIBHCO, HIL, NFL, BBSSL or an ICAR/SAU seed hub): 75% of the per-quintal assistance reaches you by DBT, 25% stays with the agency; for at most 5 hectares, and the same grower should not be repeated every year (2.A(ii), (v), (x)). The agency must also buy your seed at above MSP or market price, whichever is higher (2.A(iv)). Only varieties or hybrids under 8 years old.

“Under the component 75% of the assistance is meant for seed growers (through DBT) and 25% for seed producing agencies to meet their expenditure (including certification cost) if the seed is produced on seed growers field. … Pulses (for Varieties) Rs. 5,000/Qtls.”

Paid only when you grow seed as a registered seed grower for an eligible agency (State Seed Corporation, NSC, NAFED, IFFDC, KRIBHCO, HIL, NFL, BBSSL or an ICAR/SAU seed hub): 75% of the per-quintal assistance reaches you by DBT, 25% stays with the agency; for at most 5 hectares, and the same grower should not be repeated every year (2.A(ii), (v), (x)). The agency must also buy your seed at above MSP or market price, whichever is higher (2.A(iv)). Only varieties or hybrids under 8 years old.

“Under the component 75% of the assistance is meant for seed growers (through DBT) and 25% for seed producing agencies to meet their expenditure (including certification cost) if the seed is produced on seed growers field. … Jowar (for Varieties) Rs. 3,000/Qtls.”

Paid only when you grow seed as a registered seed grower for an eligible agency (State Seed Corporation, NSC, NAFED, IFFDC, KRIBHCO, HIL, NFL, BBSSL or an ICAR/SAU seed hub): 75% of the per-quintal assistance reaches you by DBT, 25% stays with the agency; for at most 5 hectares, and the same grower should not be repeated every year (2.A(ii), (v), (x)). The agency must also buy your seed at above MSP or market price, whichever is higher (2.A(iv)). Only varieties or hybrids under 8 years old.

“Under the component 75% of the assistance is meant for seed growers (through DBT) and 25% for seed producing agencies to meet their expenditure (including certification cost) if the seed is produced on seed growers field. … Hybrids in Nutri-Cereals Rs. 10,000/Qtls.”

Only for innovations not covered by SMAM or another scheme (e.g. precision farming, new machinery) that your state has put in its action plan with ICAR/SAU advice. A farmer who has received it is not eligible again (4(vi)). Farm implements and water application tools themselves are no longer funded here.

“Financial assistance will cover up to 50% of the cost of each intervention.”

NFSNM-Cotton runs in Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal (Implementing Agencies (i), p.39–40). Demonstrations are in clusters of at least 10 hectares (2 ha in NE/hilly states). The note on p.44 says these cotton components become inoperable once the “Mission for Cotton Productivity” is launched; the Union Budget 2026-27 shows its line (Cotton Technology Mission, BE 2025-26 ₹500 crore) with no 2026-27 provision.

“Front Line Demonstration (FLD): Four types of FLDs are proposed in Cotton namely: i. FLDs on Integrated Crop Management (ICM) including Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), Integrated Pest Management (IPM), soil & water management/ improved agronomic practices. ii. FLDs on Desi & Extra Long Staple (ELS) Cotton/FLDs on ELS Cotton Seed Production. iii. FLDs on Intercropping. iv. FLDs on Natural Colour Cotton”

Distributed through the State Agriculture Department, Cane Commissioner or ICAR. NFSNM-Cotton runs in Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal (Implementing Agencies (i), p.39–40). NFSNM-Sugarcane runs in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh (Implementing Agencies (iii), p.40).

“Financial assistance of Rs. 500/ha or 50% of the cost, whichever is less will be provided to State Department of Agriculture (SDAs)/ICAR-Institutions for distribution of plant protection chemicals & bio-agents.”

NFSNM-Jute & Allied Fibres runs in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal (Implementing Agencies (ii), p.40). Only varieties up to 10 years old (up to 15 years for 20% of the allocation), produced for the Agriculture Department, CRIJAF, NSC, State Seed Corporations, SAUs, ICAR or KVKs. The 75% farmer share applies when the seed is grown on your field.

“Assistance of Rs. 12000/qtl will be provided to production of foundation seed & Rs. 5500/qtl to production of certified seed. … The incentives on production of Foundation Seed & Certified Seed will be shared on 75:25 bases between farmers & seed producing agencies in case when seeds are grown at farmer’s field.”

NFSNM-Jute & Allied Fibres runs in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal (Implementing Agencies (ii), p.40). The 75% farmer share applies when the seed is grown on your field for a seed-producing agency.

“Assistance of Rs. 12000/qtl will be provided to production of foundation seed & Rs. 5500/qtl to production of certified seed. … The incentives on production of Foundation Seed & Certified Seed will be shared on 75:25 bases between farmers & seed producing agencies in case when seeds are grown at farmer’s field.”

NFSNM-Jute & Allied Fibres runs in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal (Implementing Agencies (ii), p.40).

“Assistance of Rs. 20000/- per FLDs (Rs. 17,000 for inputs & Rs. 3000 for contingency) will be provided for an area of 0.25 ha (75% of the area for alternating retting technology and 25% for traditional technologies) … The assistance of Rs. 9000/ha will be provided of which Rs. 1000/- will be for contingencies like field day, publicity materials, POL, visit of scientists, etc.”

NFSNM-Jute & Allied Fibres runs in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal (Implementing Agencies (ii), p.40). Distributed mainly through the State Agriculture Department (E(iv)).

“For State Department of Agriculture and ICAR assistance of Rs. 100/kg or 50% of the cost, whichever is less will be provided for distribution of certified seeds (not older than 10 years).”

NFSNM-Jute & Allied Fibres runs in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal (Implementing Agencies (ii), p.40).

“Rs. 1000/machine or 50% of the cost, whichever is less will be provided for distribution of nail weeder”

NFSNM-Jute & Allied Fibres runs in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal (Implementing Agencies (ii), p.40).

“Rs. 25/kg or 50% of the cost, whichever is less will be provided for distribution of microbial consortium such as CRIJAF-SONA and similar other approved microbial formulation.”

NFSNM-Sugarcane runs in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh (Implementing Agencies (iii), p.40). Organised by the Agriculture Department, Cane Commissioner, ICAR, SAUs or KVKs in clusters of at least 10 hectares (2 ha in NE/hilly states).

“Assistance of Rs. 9000/Demonstration (1.0 ha each) will be provided of which Rs.1000/ - for contingencies like field day, publicity material, POL, visit of scientists etc.”